?Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas (L) welcomes his Finnish counterpart Antti Rinne in Tallinn, capital of Estonia, on June 14, 2019. Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas met here on Friday with his Finnish counterpart Antti Rinne to discuss bilateral cooperation, important projects in the Baltic Sea region, and Finnish presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) among others. (Xinhua/Estonian government communication unit/Jurgen Randma)
TALLINN, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas met here on Friday with his Finnish counterpart Antti Rinne to discuss bilateral cooperation, important projects in the Baltic Sea region, and Finnish presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) among others.
Ratas highlighted the close relations between Estonia and Finland, stressing the increasing importance of cooperation in the ever-changing world.
"I am glad that we agree with Finland on all the major issues, because global challenges, such as the climate change and sustaining economic growth, can only be faced if we stand together," Ratas was quoted as saying in a statement.
"In order to continue moving forward in a neighborly manner, the Nordic countries and the Baltic states must keep on walking to the same rhythm in international issues where we share similar views, because our voices are stronger when we are together," he added.
Ratas also stressed the importance of digital cooperation, expecting a more advanced data exchange between the two countries besides digital prescriptions.
Ratas and Rinne also discussed the Rail Baltica project, a greenfield rail transport infrastructure project that aims to integrate the Baltic states into the European rail network.
They also discussed establishing the Estonian, Latvian, and Finnish joint gas market, prospects of the Tallinn-Helsinki undersea railway tunnel, as well as the environmental situation of the Baltic Sea, which is one of the priorities for the new government of Finland.
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid also met with the Finnish prime minister to discuss future cooperation, especially regarding the EU, climate goals and the Baltic Sea environment, terming Finland as one of the good neighbors and friends of Estonia.
Rinne's visit to Estonia was his first foreign visit after the new cabinet was formally appointed by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on June 6.
The Finnish presidency of the Council of the European Union begins on July 1.
